Tolerance Book III

Chapter Fifty-Six: A Killing

As Billings reached the end of his count, finger poised on the trigger, Jay didn't even have to deliberate about his chosen candidate.  For him it had been an easy decision.  Eyeing the Hostages briefly, seeing fear and dread in most faces he turned to give his opponent his full attention as he ended his count.

"Well?  Who is it to be?"
"Me."
"You?!" Billings' voice betrayed his surprise as he looked at the younger man incredulously, was he serious?
"You told me to pick a Hostage," Jay reminded calmly, "and I did. Me."

Will felt his heart constrict in his chest.  Beside him Conor was having the same problem.  Of course they should have known Jay would offer up his own life to protect the Hostages.  The redhead couldn't just sit there and watch his brother be killed.  He had to do something now!  Conor sensed his friends' intent and non too gently shoved an elbow into the taller mans' side.  If Billings noticed the movement it would have looked as if the Surgeon was merely shifting position to get comfortable.   Will stopped his intended rise sending a quick glare towards his companion.  Conor was unfazed.  He understood the anger was  not really directed at him or his warning but was rooted in concern, a concern he fully shared.  They had to hope this didn't play out as Jay intended.

Surveillance Van

The van had descended into total silence upon Jays' casual deliverance of his selfless choice.  Voight was kicking himself!  Of course the young Detective would sacrifice his own life.  It was engrained in him to put others before himself.  Adam wondered sadly if Jay had ever learned that he was indispensable to them, it seemed not.  This brave act reinforced what they already knew about the green eyed man.  He would forfeit his life willingly without a moments' hesitation.  Al lowered his head.  The young man he had come to greatly admire had just signed his own death warrant and while it didn't surprise the seasoned Detective it saddened him immensely.  Antonio and Kevin beside him exchanged grim looks.   The siege had now taken on an even more personal aspect.  Sitting in front of the bank of monitors the IT Specialist was struggling to remain seated.  He wanted to abandon his fixed chair and pace up and down but refrained.  Apart from the lack of space in the crowded confines of the van his former Lieutenant needed him to be on his top game now more than ever.  Murphy and Parker were also grappling with the latest turn of events.  Both knew if Billings carried out his intimated threat and killed Jay as an example they would have no hope of containing Voight or his team.  Both men eyed each other wordlessly with rueful frank expressions.  They were honest enough to silently admit they wouldn't even want to try to contain the Chicago men.

Bank

If the team was finding it hard to cope with Jays' selfless choice Will and Conor actually found it harder as the duo had front row seats to whatever was coming and a feeling of dread gripped each man.  Never had they felt so helpless.   For his part Jay looked as calm and unconcerned as if he had just decided what cereal to have for breakfast rather than deciding to give up his life.  Billings eyed his adversary with a cold demeanour, his finger caressing the trigger of the rifle almost longingly.  He was clearly struggling with the choice.   Glancing from the Detective to the Hostages on the ground all who were avidly watching proceedings, he returned his gaze to the auburn haired man again as he straightened his posture, indicating he was ready to take action. Jay too stood ready for what was about to happen.  He forced himself not not to look towards his brother and friend for a final goodbye.  He had to hope they knew he was at peace with his decision.  Billings advanced on Jay with a determined expression darkened by rage.

Surveillance Van

"We need to get in there!" Adam half shouted in desperation as the scene in the bank unfolded.
"It's already too late," Als' voice carried a rare tremor.
"Sarge we have a problem," Mouse spoke up as his digits danced across the keyboard furiously.
"What is it?" Voights' gaze was glued to a screen.
"There's someone accessing the feed to ....," the IT Specialists' intended words were cut off as every monitor went black and a single shot rang out.
"Oh God!" Adams' anguished cry breached the stunned silence, his best friend was gone.
"We still have sound," Antonio spoke hoarsely, thank God Jay had planted the listening device.
"Maybe he just fired a round in the air," Kevin offered up a more favourable scenario, he couldn't accept their friend was gone, "he'll let us know he's alive."
"If he was alive he'd be talking," Adam challenged despondently, his best friend would know the grief that would be engulfing his friends and would want to put an end into it forthwith.
"Halstead isn't dead" Voight stated adamantly, he would not accept the young Detectives' end.